Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules

Abstract

Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The AIOL capsules include an anterior capsule plate, a posterior capsule plate, and a capsule ring for bounding a hermetic cavity filled with a capsule filling. The anterior capsule plate is intended to anteriorly bulge along the human eye's visual axis on application of an axial compression force against the posterior capsule plate from a posterior direction.

1. An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsule for implantation in a human eye having a visual axis, a sclera of tough connective tissue, an annular ciliary sulcus, and a sphincter-like ciliary body for tensioning a capsular diaphragm in an anterior direction along the visual axis on its relaxation from a contracted ciliary body state to a relaxed ciliary body state,
 the AIOL capsule for use with a rigid haptics system having a longitudinal axis and a haptics main body with at least two elongated generally C-shaped haptics extending therefrom in opposite directions in a plane perpendicular to the human eye's visual axis, each haptics terminating in an attachment plate having at least one pointed puncturing member for penetrating the tough connective tissue of the human eye's sclera for self-anchoring implantation in the human eye's annular ciliary sulcus at at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points for retaining the AIOL in the human eye, 
 the haptics each including a Vertical Adjustment Mechanism adjacent the haptics main body deformable on localized heating by an external energy source for enabling post implantation in situ selective axial displacement of the AIOL along the human eye's visual axis relative to the at least two spaced apart stationary anchor points, 
 the AIOL capsule having a longitudinal axis intended to be co-directional with the human eye's visual axis on implantation therein and comprising a capsule housing including a transparent anterior capsule plate, a transparent posterior capsule plate parallel and opposite said anterior capsule plate, and a capsule ring extending between said anterior and posterior capsule plates and having a leading rim connected to said anterior capsule plate and a trailing rim connected to said posterior capsule plate, 
 said anterior capsule plate, said posterior capsule plate and said capsule ring bounding a hermetic cavity filled with a transparent capsule filling, 
 said anterior capsule plate having an exposed leading surface and said posterior capsule plate having an exposed trailing surface, 
 said trailing surface capable of undergoing repeated back and forth flexing relative to said capsule ring on application and in the absence of an axial compression force thereagainst from a posterior direction, 
 said leading surface anteriorly bulging along the human eye's visual axis on application of said axial compression force and reverting to its non-flexed position in the absence of said compression force, 
 whereby the AIOL capsule has a continuously variable Diopter strength ranging between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than said first Diopter strength in a compressed state on application of said axial compression force. 
 
     
     
       2. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said capsule housing includes a monolithic bowl-like capsule shell formed from said anterior capsule plate and said capsule ring for bounding said cavity, and said posterior capsule plate for rear side mounting on said bowl-like capsule shell for sealing said cavity. 
     
     
       3. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said capsule housing includes a filleted leading internal surface for bounding a hermetic cavity with a rounded leading rim adjacent said anterior capsule plate. 
     
     
       4. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said capsule housing includes an angled leading internal surface for bounding a hermetic cavity with a cone section shape converging in an anterior direction along the AIOL capsule's longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       5. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said capsule  30  housing includes a converging tubular wall extending rearwards from a juncture between said anterior capsule plate and said capsule ring for bounding a hermetic cavity with a cone section shape converging in a posterior direction along the AIOL capsule's longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       6. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 5  wherein said converging tubular wall has a trailing rim protruding beyond said capsule ring's trailing rim in a posterior direction along the AIOL capsule's longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       7. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said posterior capsule plate includes a central capsule filling displacement member having a trailing surface and a peripheral annular flange having a trailing surface wherein said capsule filling displacement member's trailing surface protrudes posteriorly with respect to said annular flange's trailing surface along the AIOL capsule's longitudinal axis whereby said posterior capsule plate has a stepped trailing surface. 
     
     
       8. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 7  wherein said capsule filling displacement member has a planar trailing surface. 
     
     
       9. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said posterior capsule plate has a convex trailing surface. 
     
     
       10. The AIOL capsule according to  claim 1  wherein said posterior capsule plate has a convex front surface for assisting said anterior  25  bulging.